Spirit and Light Shared Event - Program starts on March 17, 2026 - If you are looking for a place to share a meal, watch an interesting video and wrestle with questions at the core of faith and life - come and see! At Alpha, you can ask anything - It's a safe space to question life, faith, and meaning. You're invited no matter your background or beliefs.

Archdiocesan Shared Event - Have you been baptized and made your First Holy Communion in the Catholic Church, but never been sealed with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of Confirmation? The Archdiocese's eight-week spring formation, in either English or Spanish, will begin on Wednesday, March 11, via Zoom.

Ongoing Invitation to Support - Since the installation of the LISTEN WIFI assistive listening system in the Churches, more and more parishioners have begun using the app and are finding it helpful... We completed an evaluation of our overall sound systems at both Churches... If you are interested in lending your support to the Sound System Project, please contact David Anderson in the coming weeks.

Non-Parish Event of Interest - The Kathy McMahon Adams Fund provides $1,500 college scholarships to graduates of Ascension School and parishioners at Ascension and St. Edmund Parish who are either high school seniors or current college students. Special consideration is given to students majoring in education. Applications will be accepted until February 16, 2026.

Get your friends together and brush up all of your MUSIC, MOVIES and TV knowledge for Ascension Trivia Night on February 21 - $25 per person/$250 per team of 10. Trivia Night is a 21+ event - Please bring food for your table, but drinks will be available for purchase.

New members are most welcome to join the St. Edmund Saturday Night Choir. We are especially in need of tenors and basses to round out the sound. Mid-February is a perfect time of year to join us as we prepare for the Sundays of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. St. Edmund Choir rehearses about three Wednesday evenings (beginning at 7:00 PM) and sings three of the Saturday 5:00 PM Masses each month with some exceptions.

Communication with loved ones is very important for people who are imprisoned. It helps keep them grounded and better prepares them for their release. It’s important to the families as well. We facilitate the communication process by providing cards and stationery to juveniles, women, and men so they have materials to use, especially at Mother’s Day. Once again, we are asking for your help.

Non-Parish Event of Interest - This series introduces Empowering Communication offering practical tools for healthy relationships, respectful dialogue, and staying connected through conflict, while strengthening relationships and exploring paths toward reconciliation. February - November, Eight 3 hour sessions, on the 3rd Sunday of the month at the First Congregational Church in Western Springs.

Spirit and Light Shared Event - Join us for an afternoon filled with Irish music, fun, storytelling, sing-alongs, and laughter! With special guest Gerry Dignan and a performance from the Oak Park Irish Dancers - The event will be held on March 1 in McDonough Hall of St. Giles Campus.

Community Shared Event - Please join us for our annual African American Heritage Celebration on Saturday, February 14, at 4:30 PM Mass, with music under the direction of Dr. Thomas Jefferson, followed by a reception in the Gathering Area of St. Giles Church.

Spirit and Light Shared Event - Families are invited to a Mardi Gras Children's Party, Carnival Games, Pizza, and King Cup Cake - We will also have a Parade, Palm Burning for Ash Wednesday, and Prayer Service - Suggested Donation: $5.00 to $10.00 - All proceeds benefit "The Community Fridge Project"

Spirit and Light Shared Event - Sign up now for Catholic Vacation Bible School. The camp runs from June 8 to June 12, 2026 from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. All children ages 4-11 are invited to attend. Campers will enter and leave thru the door by St. Edmund Church Parking Lot.

The Ascension Knights of Columbus invites everyone to a Fish Fry on Friday, February 20 and Friday, March 20 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM in the Ascension School Gym. Sign up to volunteer.

Community Shared Event - We are so happy that Oak Park Parishes have chosen Foundation for Children in Need, a Catholic Lay Organization as the Lenten cause for this year. Join us to consider making little sacrifices of alms-giving, fasting and prayer so that a child or senior in need in India might experience your gift of love and have their hope renewed.

Please bring non-perishable food items to Ascension and St. Edmund Churches during Mass for our monthly St. Simon of Cyrene Food Pantry collection. Monetary donations are accepted in the offertory baskets at church or online.

Archdiocesan Shared Event - Cardinal Cupich invites us to answer this year’s Appeal message from Pope Leo XIV, “Together we bring light.” - Bring your pledge to any Mass, or mail your pledge directly to the archdiocese, or make your contribution online - The parishes receive 100% of the incremental funds - We thank you for your generous gifts!

The Knights of Columbus and the St. Edmund Diaper Ministry collect diapers and other items on the first weekend of the month for The Neighborhood Bridge, Housing Forward, and Beyond Hunger.